The true cost of a gun buyback

The Prime Minister has announced her intentions to seize every semi automatic rifle in the nation. With some token exemptions for professional pest controllers.

No discussion. Just a compelled buy back with a budget of 100 – 200 million dollars. 

Her finance minister says that money is no option.

But just how accurate are her guesstimates?

Everyone that we have spoken to is sure that this government is out by three billion dollars!

 

Here is the true cost of a gun buyback

MSSA rifles

We know that there are around 15,000 of these registered with Police now.

A VERY conservative average for these arms would be $2,300 per rifle.

The total cost of a buy back for the BARE MSSA FIREARMS would be $34,500,000

IT IS LIKELY MUCH MORE THAN THIS FIGURE

Next we have the issue of aftermarket parts specific to the privately owned firearm being seized. These investments can include optics, suppressors, muzzle breaks and stock systems.

This could EASILY DOUBLE the cost of the individual rifle taken.

This excludes gunsmithing and custom work that represents millions in additional losses.

This excludes general accessories. Magazines and pouches for competition, cases, etc. Easily millions more. Easily.

Investments in security can only be shuddered at.

 

‘A’ Category Semi-Automatic Rifles

The semi auto firearm is the most common sold today. Even a shotgun limited to two rounds will often be a semi auto for the benefit of recoil reduction.

These ‘A’ category rifles and shotguns have now been reclassified as MSSA. A VERY conservative estimate would be 250,000 of these in the hands of licensed shooters.

A VERY conservative average cost would be $2,000 each.

The total cost of a buy back for the BARE FIREARMS would be $500,000,000

IT IS LIKELY MUCH MORE THAN THIS FIGURE

Again, these firearms will have additional accessories that can EASILY DOUBLE the cost of the individual rifle taken.

 

Pump Action Shotguns

Shotguns capable of holding more than five rounds are also to be seized. We estimate that shotguns with tubes that either hold six rounds, or can be adapted to do so with a simple screw on part, number 200,000.

At a VERY conservative averaged value of $950.

The total cost of a buy back for the BARE shotguns would be $190,000,000

IT IS LIKELY MUCH MORE THAN THIS FIGURE

 

Total Cost

So the total cost of a buy back for the firearms that the Prime Minister has ordered would be $724,500,000

IT IS LIKELY MUCH MORE THAN THIS FIGURE

This figure doubles if shooters are compensated for their other property, now rendered valueless by the seizures.

That is a billion dollars IF you steal a billion dollars.

 

Additional Costs

None of this takes into account the cost of seizing, storing, transporting, securing and destroying all of these investments. Police are already contracting private firms just to NOT answer questions on their firearm hotline.

None of this takes into account the cost of a registration system – should that be adopted. This will be in the hundreds of millions and will be an ONGOING expense. We know from Australia.

None of this takes into account private investments in security, reloading equipment and components, ammunition, multiple ‘Uppers’ for the same firearm, etc.

Note: If the system is expanded to include .22 rifles that can accept larger capacity magazines – as is usually done – then the cost would be terrifying. Certainly hundreds of millions of dollars in additional waste.

 

Unintended consequences

The unintended consequences can only be imagined.

From the film industry losing hundreds of millions because our armorers can’t provide the guns needed.

Undertrained Police can no longer use private rifles to up skill.

More poison will need to be paid for to destroy our environment.

Shops close. Ranges close.

The loss of freedom and culture and sport is of course Priceless.

The loss of social connection so many thousands of kiwis will feel now their sport is stolen. No more world champions. A few more suicides.

The lives lost from opportunity cost. This money, if invested in our health service, would save thousands of lives.

But we set fire to all of this because a SINGLE madman killed 50 people with guns in revenge for another madman killing 87 people with a truck.

 

So this farce will cost a billion dollars….

IF you steal a billion dollars….

BEFORE an additional billion dollars

(For the establishment of a useless system. Before that gets dropped as useless in ten years)

 

But Jacinda is budgeting for 100 million.

 

Now click HERE for an additional treat…..